If you work in an industry that involves high-heat processes, such as oil and gas and petrochemical applications, you know the challenge of keeping your pressure and temperature measurement instruments working effectively. These instruments are put to the test daily with exposure to extreme temperatures, abrasive chemicals and other elements that may not be compatible with the wetted components (parts that are in contact with the process). The industry solution for protecting pressure and temperature instruments in these applications is to use isolators, commonly known as diaphragm seals, to isolate the instrument from the process. But how do you know the type of seal that is best for your operation? Ashcroft is an industry-leading manufacturer of diaphragm seals and frequently works with customers to address this issue. As the product leader for diaphragm seals, I want to share my insights and solutions that you can use as a reference for your needs. Read on to learn common challenges for diaphragm seals and assemblies, considerations for choosing diaphragm seals and how to protect them (and other instruments) from damage in your specific application .

Some pressure instruments require a fill fluid to help with pulsation and vibration in certain applications. Filling the cavity of a pressure gauge with liquid lubricates and dampens the internal components to reduce or eliminate the effects of heavy vibration and/or pulsation. A system fill is commonly used in assemblies when one or more instruments are installed above a diaphragm seal. There are many types of fill fluid options available today, so which one is best for your application?